Over 12 appearances with the Red Sox last season, Doubront posted a 4.32 ERA and is in contention for a spot in the bullpen along with fellow lefties Andrew Miller, Dennys Reyes, Hideki Okajima and Rich Hill.

What this does to his standing is unclear.

Typically a team only carries one lefty in their bullpen, though Francona is open to taking two if it makes baseball sense, which could give Doubront an edge considering that he was a starter in the minor leagues.

“He doesn’t have to be a specialist,” Francona said Tuesday. “You’d like your lefty to get left-handed hitters out. But that doesn't have to be it.”